Note
Update on March 21: On March 21, 2024, we replaced the 2024-25 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide with a new version that makes the following changes:
Determining Federal Pell Grant Eligibility Section – Step 2
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Removed 2nd bullet and placed under Pell Grant Flag
Step 1: Determine Maximum Pell Grant Eligibility Section
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Added additional clarification as well as where in document you can find how family size and single parent status are determined
Step 1: Determine Maximum Pell Grant Eligibility Section – SAI for Maximum Pell Grant Recipients
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Added clarification around when intermediate values are set and when not
Step 2: Calculate Student Aid Index Section
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Inserted new table to help with determining which SAI Formula Type needs to be used as well as clarification around rounding rules
Formula A, B, and C
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Clarified some worksheet labels for IRS distributions and Pensions
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Clarified some worksheet labels for contribution from assets
Supplementary Tables for Formula A, B, and C
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Added some clarification text around what to do if spouses file different returns
Federal Pell Grant Flag Section
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Made it its own section; added reference out to Dear Colleague Letter
Appendix A: Acronyms
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Clarified what EITC is used in calculation for single parent (Received During Tax Year)
Appendix C: Family Size
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Added clarification and FAQs related to how family size is calculated, hierarchy, etc.
Appendix D: Non-Tax Filer vs. Tax Filer
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Synched up with Section 5 – Edits
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Added some clarification text
Appendix E: Applicants or Contributors Required to Provide Assets
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Renamed section
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Synced up with Section 5 – Edits
Appendix G: Determining “Single Parent” Status Indicator as defined by FAFSA Simplification
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Renamed section
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Added sub header
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Expanded on which EITC to use
Appendix H: Determining Income Source Information
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Synced up with Section 5 – Edits
Appendix J: ISIR Input Field IDs Used in SAI Calculation
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Added new section to map input field IDs used in SAI calculation
Update on March 1: On March 1, 2024, the Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 reset the Student Aid Index (SAI) formula established on the FAFSA Simplification Act for the 2024-25 award year to have a -$1,500 minimum threshold on the allowance for negative income earned by dependent students (e.g., the Student’s Contribution from Income). The threshold will be $0 for award years 2025-26 and beyond. Accordingly, the -$1,500 income floor for SAI Formula A will be reflected in the 2024-25 Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) that are delivered to schools and state aid agencies in the first half of March. In addition, we have removed the updated version of the 2024-25 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide added under “Attachments” on Feb. 27 and have reinstated the previous version of the guide in its place.
Update on Feb. 27: As explained in a Feb. 27, 2024 Electronic Announcement, we made a technical update to the Student Aid Index (SAI) formula to ensure full alignment with the FAFSA Simplification Act. The SAI formula for dependent students was previously calculated using a minimum threshold on the allowance for negative income earned by dependent students (e.g., the Student’s Contribution from Income). As we finalized preparation to deliver completed applications to schools in the first half of March, we identified that the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act did not specify an income floor for dependent students. Implementing a floor would be inconsistent with the letter of the law. The technical updates to SAI Formula A will be reflected in the Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) that are delivered to schools and state aid agencies in the first half of March. The specific change regarding dependents’ negative available income is at the top of page 9 in an updated version of the Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide under “Attachments” below.
Update on Jan. 30: As explained in a Jan. 30, 2024 Electronic Announcement, we updated the supporting tables used in the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation to account for inflationary adjustments as required under the law. These tables, which directly impact eligibility for need-based federal student aid, detail the allowances against income and assets reported by students and families on their FAFSA form. The revised tables are included in the final Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide under “Attachments” below.
Update on Aug. 25: We replaced the 2024-25 Draft Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide Supplement – Pell Formulas and Enrollment Intensity attachment with an updated version that corrects information in two locations.
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In the Non-Standard Term Disbursement Schedule chart at the bottom of page 9, we corrected the denominator in the “Calculation” row to 32 (from 40) and corrected the “Annual Pell Award” row to $250 (from $200).
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In the Non-Standard Term Disbursement Schedule chart at the bottom of page 10, we corrected the denominator in the “Calculation” row to 32 (from 40) and corrected the “Annual Pell Award” row to $200, $150, $100, $150 (from $160, $120, $80, $120).
Update on May 19: We replaced the 2024-25 Draft Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide with an updated version. The only substantial change to the guide is a section on applicants exempt from asset reporting. In addition, we added four new supplements to the guide—EFC to SAI Crosswalk, EFC to SAI Scenarios, Eligibility for Max or Min Pell Grant Resource, and Pell Formulas and Enrollment Intensity. Final versions of the guide and its supplements will be published prior to the start of the 2024-25 processing cycle. The Department will continue to provide additional updated and expanded guidance as it becomes available.
The 2024-25 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide is attached.
Attachments
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